Pool tables abound on ebay and other sites. The buyer beware tag should be posted on each of them. What does it really cost to buy a used pool table? And what are the risks? How can a buyer protect themselves from the unscrupulous seller?
Would you buy a used car without a car fax history report? How about without looking under the hood or having a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle? Buying a used pool table presents some similar challenges. Unless the seller will allow you to take the table apart, even a certified table technician can’t tell the true condition of the table.
You must also consider that there is no manufacturers guarantee on a used table. If you buy a used table from a reputable local dealer they will usually give an installation guarantee.
You must factor in the cost of the tear down, move, and reset of the used table as well. The charge for a reputable local dealer to tear down, move, and reset the table will range from $350. to $500.. Be wary of using contractors who work out of the trunk of their car. They charge less but aren’t certified and have no reason to follow up.
You also need to research the used table to make sure the manufacturer is still in business and builds quality tables. Particle board tables with 3/4″ slate are next to impossible to keep level and don’t last long unless they were built by quality engineers.
How old is the table? We recently had an inquiry about a used Brunswick. The seller represented that the table was only 3 years old. We identified that the model had been discontinued 10 years earlier and sold new for around $1200.. The seller was asking $1000.. Buyer beware.
Even new tables are regularly misrepresented as quality wood when in reality they are a wood product such as MDF. A gentleman proudly stated that he purchased a solid hard rock maple table for $895. delivered. When it arrived I pointed out to him that it was a maple finish and not solid maple. He continued to insist it was solid maple until I pointed out that the box stated solid maple finish not solid maple wood, it was MDF.
Quality used tables range in price from $1,200. to over $100,000. for a true antique. E-mail us or call before you buy to make sure you are getting what you are paying for.
4 responses so far ↓
1 Scubz // Aug 2, 2008 at 9:22 pm
So is 3/4″ MDF slatecore bed an exceptible top to have? Saw some used for sale and have never heard of it. It is a Minnesota Fats Table.
2 Scubz // Aug 2, 2008 at 9:23 pm
Also, how is that product made??? Is it Slate wrapped with MDF?
3 al // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Slatcore, slatron, slatex, slaton are all names given to non-slate beds. Most are made of particle board centers wrapped in laminate of some type. They will not stay level. The cloth used on these toy tables is very poor quality and will wear out quickly if used regularly.
4 al // Aug 5, 2008 at 12:39 pm
For those who aren’t sure they want or need a real pool table the toys are fine as long as you realize they will not last long or play like a real table unless you don’t use them.
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